Reigning champions Manchester City are the visitors to St. James' Park (kick-off 5:30pm GMT), meaning the Magpies' task of securing a first league win of 2024 couldn't be much tougher.

But Eddie Howe's men will go into the contest buoyed by their fine FA Cup win on Wearside, where Dan Ballard's own goal and Alexander Isak's brace sealed a first Tyne-Wear derby win for United since 2011.

It could be the boost Howe's men need as they look to end a tricky spell in the league with a victory which could move them back into the top eight.

And Isak and the rest of the Magpies' derby-day heroes were hard at work on Wednesday as the visit of last term's treble winners draws closer.

Serena Taylor was there to bring nufc.co.uk this gallery from a chilly morning at United's Benton training centre.